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The Bitter Taste of Dying: A Memoir by [Jason Smith, Thought Catalog]

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Jason Smith

The Bitter Taste of Dying: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Jason Smith (Author), Thought Catalog (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

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In his first book, author Jason Smith explores the depravity and desperation required to maintain an opiate addiction so fierce, he finds himself jumping continents to avoid jail time and learns the hard way that some demons cannot be outrun.

While teaching in Europe, he meets a prostitute who secures drugs for him at the dangerous price of helping out the Russian mafia; in China, he gets his Percocet and Xanax fix but terrifies a crowd of children and parents at his job in the process; and in Mexico, Smith thought a Tijuana jail cell would be the perfect place to kick his Fentanyl habit, but soon realizes that the power of addiction is stronger than his desire to escape it.

The Bitter Taste of Dying paints a portrait of the modern day drug addict with clarity and refreshing honesty. With a gritty mixture of self-deprecation and light-hearted confessional, Smith’s memoir deftly describes the journey into the harrowing depths of addiction and demonstrates the experience of finally being released from it.

Praise for THE BITTER TASTE OF DYING

"Jason is a great writer who's clearly done the life-destroying research that I can relate to. This is the voice of a new generation of drug addicts." – Jerry Stahl, NY Times bestselling author of Permanent Midnight and Happy Mutant Baby Pills

"This memoir grabs you by the throat on the first page and doesn't let go until you're done, in one sitting--gasping for breath because you know, finally, what it's like to be a drug addict without having been one yourself. Jason Smith is a gifted writer offering no excuses for the damage he did on his harrowing 16-year journey into prescription drug hell, a huge, hidden problem in America today. Read The Bitter Taste of Dying to understand it." – Jonathan Alter, NY Times bestselling author of The Center Holds

Print length

210 pages
Language

English
Publication date

July 6, 2015
File size

2771 KB
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WKU6FK2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thought Catalog Books (July 6, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 6, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2771 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #138,722 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #43 in Sociology of Death (Kindle Store)
- #184 in Sociology of Death (Books)
- #517 in Substance Abuse Recovery

Customer Reviews:
354 ratings

About the author

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Jason Smith

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Jason Smith is a graduate from the University of California, Davis, whose work has been published extensively in both online and print media. His eclectic style ranges from personal essays to investigative reporting, drawing on his own personal travels and experiences.

Jason’s pieces have been translated into multiple languages and published in multiple countries, demonstrating his ability to connect with readers across cultural lines. Jason has multiple projects currently in production after being acquired for film rights.

Jason is currently living in Sacramento, California.

Customer reviews

5 star		78%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Kindle Customer

Recovering

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

I'm not much for reviewing anything because I'm a selfish prick and only care about me, me ,me. However, this book shook me to my very core. The raw truth Jason divulged unto these pages was more than I've heard anyone say about their experiences with addiction and recovery. I never understood why I couldn't get better until I read his book straight through and this was all while kicking. I would recommend this book to addicts, alcoholics and especially anyone who has a relationship with either.

26 people found this helpful

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Gge

A family of addicts.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2018

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Addiction is in my blood but somehow I dodged the bullet. I have chronic pain from a failed spinal surgery and two bad car accidents, yet taking norco or percocet never made me feel euphoric. I too take Xanax for PTSD and anxiety, same thing all it does is quell my anxiety a little bit. Clearly there’s a genetic predisposition because all the medications, meds described in great detail in the book simply take my level 10 pain down to a 6. The most I’ve ever taken is 3 pills in a day so I find it fascinating that these drugs completely overcame the author. This is an unflinching tale that truly provides a first row seat to what addiction is. Congrats to Jason for getting clean!

7 people found this helpful

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Thomas Murphy

All You Need to Know About Addiction and Recovery

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

Sometimes a book rings so true it amazes you. If you're in recovery or love someone who is this is that kind of book. If you don't fall into either of those groups but want to understand addiction, this is the book to read. If someone in your life is a substance abuser and you can't understand the how or why of their addiction, this is the book to read for the answers you seek. It's well written and a "good read". The specifics of the author's story are fascinating and unique, but at root are variations on a common theme that will be readily recognizable to anyone whose family has been touched by addiction. I can't recommend this book enough. Read it; you'll be glad you did.

10 people found this helpful

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J. Terrell

Beautiful and Powerful Story

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015

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Wow. This book really grabs onto you and doesn't let go. I was very excited for this book as I have followed Jason's writings on the prescription drug epidemic (and other short stories on Medium) for some time. First and foremost, Jason is a natural storyteller and I am quite certain that he could write a mundane story about going to the grocery store that would be interesting, thought-provoking, and make you laugh out loud. But this is no mundane story. As someone who has not personally struggled with drug addiction, this was a fascinating read and I felt like I was right there along for the journey...which was honestly terrifying at times. The ride was scary and heart-breaking but also funny and enjoyable, and I couldn't put it down. It is a rare author that can combine all of those things into one book. I have read other autobiographical works regarding addiction that were interesting to read but none felt as heartfelt and authentic as this. I knew Jason when he was that football star and I never would have guessed all that he was going through and continued to go through. Words can't express how glad I am that he is still here to tell his story (or should I say stories). Bottom line, I see more great things to come from Jason and cannot wait for his next book!!

18 people found this helpful

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May Leung

Great Book! Great Product.

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

Re: Product--the book arrived in great condition and on time. Thumbs up for that.
Regarding to the actual book itself, I actually picked up the book and finished the book in less than 3 hours. It was that good. The Author was very honest regarding facing his "build-up" guilt and the journey of his starting of drug usage journey from an innocent car accident (needing pain medicine for his back) all the way to an addict. --thinking that the drugs was helping him, which he finally realize that it's a fantasy. The Author claimed: "The drug makes him intelligent." I personally think this author is an intelligent individual, it's just he didn't realize it OR he was carrying too much guilt that he didn't see it. Highly recommend this book.

Helpful

Imklare

Offers Hope in unexpected ways to the drug addict

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2019

Verified Purchase

5stars easy to read,keeps your attention.Reinforces what enabling is .You can't love someone out of drug addiction.You a get a vivid picture of how the addict continually victimizes himself as well as others .In the end or should I say the beginning ,it's a God thing.He reached out ,and God showed him mercy, and gave him Grace,"unmerited favor"With this gift he was able to start a new life,a life full love,laughter,family and the ability to help others leave their hopelessness behind.Very well written had my rapt attention.

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TurnMeOut!

Mid-range

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018

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It was a fast read that gave good insight into the life of an addict.
I like the afterword. I would have liked more descriptions about the subjective experience of his withdrawals becauese that’s an important part of addiction. There were other details I felt like he left out too. Note: he’s quite bro-ish. As a gay male I was put off by some of his descriptions of guys who act certain ways. Also, there was a general lack of literary creativity. Maybe that’s not what he was going for, so I don’t mind. As someone who has travelled a lot, I thought it would be a bit more relatable. Still, I commend the author for the courage and strength he has had in order to overcome his addiction!

If you’re looking for another “million little prices”-type novel, you’re probably not going to find it here.

Helpful

Charpar

Fantastic book

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

This was an excellent book. One of those books that I couldn’t wait to get back to when I left it. The author is super talented. I’m so happy for his outcome in what seemed to be a doomed life. I read lots of memoirs, and it is refreshing to read one by someone who is actually a great writer. The book was thought provoking, compelling and honest. Congrats to the author on his recovery.

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Top reviews from other countries

laura hepburn

A brilliant read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Most of the time, you want to throttle the author! But it's a fascinating insight into a world of drug addiction that I don't understand but I kind of did reading it. It's very well written & you don't want to put it down. Insightful & pretty superb.

kim c

A real page Turner.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2020

Verified Purchase

I loved the honesty of this book, and the honesty of the author. You give a true account of the despair you went through, to come out fighting in the end. Amazing that you have built a life for yourself from nothing. A true inspiration

maggie krampl

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

thanks

Luci J

Honest account

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2016

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Extremely honest and well written. A personal account of what started him onto addiction, perpetuated it and what it finally took to quit. A must read for anyone who works with addicts!

One person found this helpful

Rebecca balmer

Fantastic read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

Loved reading this book and couldn't put it down, finished it in 1 day! Well done on your recovery! Very interesting read

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